Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday due to a breakdown in trust during the ongoing Gaza conflict with Hamas. According to Netanyahu’s office, the decision followed frequent clashes between the two leaders over Israel’s military response to Hamas after the deadly October 7 attack on Israel. Netanyahu emphasized that during wartime, full trust between the prime minister and the defence minister is crucial, noting that although trust had existed early in the campaign, it had deteriorated in recent months.
The prime minister added that Gallant’s lack of trust was no longer manageable and had become public, with the divisions between them even benefiting Israel’s enemies. Netanyahu further explained that the breach of trust was preventing effective management of the military campaign, prompting his decision to end Gallant’s tenure. Foreign Minister Israel Katz has been appointed as the new defence minister, a move Netanyahu described as necessary, given Katz’s proven abilities in national security.
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In response to his dismissal, Gallant posted on social media, reaffirming his lifelong commitment to Israel’s security. The rift between the two had become increasingly visible, with their disagreements reaching public attention and affecting Israel’s strategic operations. The conflict with Hamas has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,200 Israelis killed, mostly civilians, and more than 43,000 Palestinians killed, the majority of whom are also civilians.
